'Making sense of life's difficulties'

Published: Sunday, October 9, 2005 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, October 9, 2005 at 12:00 a.m.

Dr. Tom Dorsel knows first hand that life can sometimes be difficult. A clinical psychologist and family therapist, the married father of five children remembers back in the 1970s, a particularly difficult time when he and his wife, Sue lost one of their three sons at age 21/2 to cancer. "That painful episode," he says, "provided a valuable developmental experience for my family."

In addition to that challenging time, Dorsel has witnessed the aging of both parents well into their 90s and the changes, difficulties and opportunities getting older brings. He will draw upon his personal life experiences and more than 30 years as a university psychology professor and clinical psychologist when he presents a workshop, "Making Sense of Life's Difficulties," from 9:15 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the Pardee Health Education Center in the Blue Ridge Mall.

The morning program is part of the Great Life Series, a collaboration of Pardee Hospital and Western Carolina University designed to enhance the lives of adults as they age.

Dorsel, a former president of the South Carolina Psychological Association is a frequent contributing editor for Golf Magazine and author of several best selling books on sports psychology. In addition to his distinguished professional career in education, he is widely recognized for his contributions to the field of sport psychology.

He compares the game of golf to the game of life and says, "Knowing how to get out of sand traps during your golf game, like playing the game of life well, is about adaptation."

As a part of his presentation, he will focus on how adults can better manage the many changes aging brings and make sense of the difficult times. Included in the program will be a frank discussion about issues such as depression, anxiety, anger, stress, illness and chronic pain. Dealing with marital difficulties during the later years and confronting uneasy feelings about death and dying will also be included.

Pardee Hospital and WCU were recognized with a "Geriatric Best Practices Award" in April of 2004 by the Sage Institute§s Duke Endowment funded research project for their collaborative efforts in the Great Life Series and other healthy aging programs. In addition to WCU and Pardee, the Great Life Series is sponsored by First Citizens Bank and Spring Arbor and Spring Arbor West, Assisted Living Facilities.

Registration is available at the Pardee Health Education Center at the Blue Ridge Mall or by calling 693-3497. Registration can also be mailed to the Western Carolina University Partnership for Aging and Education. Cost is $22 per person, and checks can be made payable to Western Carolina University. For further information, contact Marcia Caserio, regional director of education outreach at 693-8375 or e-mail mcaserio@wcu.edu

<p>Dr. Tom Dorsel knows first hand that life can sometimes be difficult. A clinical psychologist and family therapist, the married father of five children remembers back in the 1970s, a particularly difficult time when he and his wife, Sue lost one of their three sons at age 21/2 to cancer. "That painful episode," he says, "provided a valuable developmental experience for my family."</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>In addition to that challenging time, Dorsel has witnessed the aging of both parents well into their 90s and the changes, difficulties and opportunities getting older brings. He will draw upon his personal life experiences and more than 30 years as a university psychology professor and clinical psychologist when he presents a workshop, "Making Sense of Life's Difficulties," from 9:15 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the Pardee Health Education Center in the Blue Ridge Mall.</p><p>The morning program is part of the Great Life Series, a collaboration of Pardee Hospital and Western Carolina University designed to enhance the lives of adults as they age.</p><p>Dorsel, a former president of the South Carolina Psychological Association is a frequent contributing editor for Golf Magazine and author of several best selling books on sports psychology. In addition to his distinguished professional career in education, he is widely recognized for his contributions to the field of sport psychology.</p><p>He compares the game of golf to the game of life and says, "Knowing how to get out of sand traps during your golf game, like playing the game of life well, is about adaptation."</p><p>As a part of his presentation, he will focus on how adults can better manage the many changes aging brings and make sense of the difficult times. Included in the program will be a frank discussion about issues such as depression, anxiety, anger, stress, illness and chronic pain. Dealing with marital difficulties during the later years and confronting uneasy feelings about death and dying will also be included.</p><p>Pardee Hospital and WCU were recognized with a "Geriatric Best Practices Award" in April of 2004 by the Sage Institute§s Duke Endowment funded research project for their collaborative efforts in the Great Life Series and other healthy aging programs. In addition to WCU and Pardee, the Great Life Series is sponsored by First Citizens Bank and Spring Arbor and Spring Arbor West, Assisted Living Facilities.</p><p>Registration is available at the Pardee Health Education Center at the Blue Ridge Mall or by calling 693-3497. Registration can also be mailed to the Western Carolina University Partnership for Aging and Education. Cost is $22 per person, and checks can be made payable to Western Carolina University. For further information, contact Marcia Caserio, regional director of education outreach at 693-8375 or e-mail mcaserio@wcu.edu</p>